Buying a dog while Unemployed UPDATE: Returning dog! (ugh!)

[WillowPuff]

(more info in post #12)

(Update in Post #19 on in-laws Returning the dog)

I often disagree with things my in-laws do... so of course this is a biased "vent."

My FIL was a teacher, his school completely closed this past June. He is now unemployed. He hasn't done much to look for a new job ~ he says he is "off" for the Summer since he's a teacher. He will start collecting Unemployment in September (his teaching contract is still technically paying through Aug). He says he wants a job that doesn't have set hours (basically he decides when he wants to show up and go home) and he wants a job with Summers completely off. (good luck finding that!)

I woud classify my in-laws as "lower class." They live paycheck to paycheck. They still have 2 kids living at home; ages 13 and 11. The kids have been begging for a dog, my in-laws gave in and just got one yesterday. I don't believe this is the time for them to be getting a dog, as the financial responsibility of owning one adds up.

Ugh! They just don't think these kinds of decisions through enough. Soon they will be living on Unemployment (and that's 60% of a teacher's salary!) and I truly believe they will struggle financially. It's not my place to tell them they are wrong though... so that's why I'm venting here. Thanks!

What's your opinion? Do you agree or disagree if someone with similar circumstances buys a dog??

 

[Kathi OD]

IMO, it's not your business on how your in-laws decide to spend their money, regardless of its source. Their money, their decision.

FWIW, there are some teaching positions out there that allow you to make your own hours, although they are pretty hard to get. We've had a teacher on our staff for the past 5 years who works as a remedial teacher, choosing her own days and hours, as long as she works a minimum of 18 hours, and no more than 24 hours/week.

 

[Darsa]

I would classify my in-laws as "lower class." They live paycheck to paycheck.

Ouch. This stings.

I would have to say that it's not really up to you to decide whether or not they "should" get a dog. I mean, it seems like you're just looking for a reason to be annoyed with these people you already feel are low-class.

I also agree with you in wishing your FiL luck finding a job where he can set his own hours and have summers off I can't think of a single career where you could do such a thing, except maybe "celebrity offspring"...

 

[Chicago526]

My SIL is a teacher, does something with speach therapy. She's worked part time since she had her first child, and she while can't make her schedule up as she goes along, she can pick what days she'll work for the upcomming school year during the summer break. So it IS possible, if you are specialized in some way.

Anyway, of course you shouldn't say anything, and your post indicates that you won't...but I agree, this is the worst time to be adding an expense. Even if they got the dog for free, it can be very expensive to provide vet care should the dog get sick or injured. What if they have to relocate and the new home doesn't accept pets, then what? Nope, not a good idea at all!

 

[Tink888]

I often disagree with things my in-laws do... so of course this is a biased "vent."

My FIL was a teacher, his school completely closed this past June. He is now unemployed. He hasn't done much to look for a new job ~ he says he is "off" for the Summer since he's a teacher. He will start collecting Unemployment in September (his teaching contract is still technically paying through Aug). He says he wants a job that doesn't have set hours (basically he decides when he wants to show up and go home) and he wants a job with Summers completely off. (good luck finding that!)

I woud classify my in-laws as "lower class." They live paycheck to paycheck. They still have 2 kids living at home; ages 13 and 11. The kids have been begging for a dog, my in-laws gave in and just got one yesterday. I don't believe this is the time for them to be getting a dog, as the financial responsibility of owning one adds up.

Ugh! They just don't think these kinds of decisions through enough. Soon they will be living on Unemployment (and that's 60% of a teacher's salary!) and I truly believe they will struggle financially. It's not my place to tell them they are wrong though... so that's why I'm venting here. Thanks!

What's your opinion? Do you agree or disagree if someone with similar circumstances buys a dog??

Vent away. But, you also asked for opinions so I'm going to give mine and I don't mean to sound harsh, but it's really none of your business what they do.

Losing your job, especially if you've been at the same place for a long time, is an incredibly stressful situation. You go through a variety of emotions. I've been there, my DH has been there.

If the guy is getting paid through the summer and wants to enjoy the time with his family, more power to him. If he wants a dog and that dog brings a little joy to the entire family during a difficult time, good for them. As a dog owner I can tell you that unless you run into unexpected vet bills, the cost of ownership really isn't that expensive.

You're definately entitled to your opinions but as long as he isn't asking you to financially support his family, it's his life, his decisions. He's probably more aware of his financial situation than you think.

Good luck to your FIL. I'm sure he'll find another job and that everything will work out. It always does.

 

[ajk912]

I also agree with you in wishing your FiL luck finding a job where he can set his own hours and have summers off I can't think of a single career where you could do such a thing, except maybe "celebrity offspring"...[/QUOTE]

The bolded is funny.

BTW, if your FIL finds this job..let me know..I would LOVE that job!!! Maybe have him look into substitute teaching? He already has the experience, and even though he wouldn't be able to pick his hours he WOULD be able to pick what days he works. And summers off.

 

[Jennasis]

I'm sure it's maddening to watch, but ultimately nothing you can do and (don't be angry) none of your business.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Here is the place to vent, because it's not your place to say anything to them.

They'll figure it out on their own that it probably wasn't the best time to get a dog.... but until then, if the dog makes them happy, be happy for them

 

[Kim&Chris]

That's so irresponsible. Any dog owner knows that having a dog is costly, but like previous posters have said, there's nothing you can really do about it.

The sad part is...once the cost of dog ownership grows, it will probably be the poor dog that pays the price and may likely end up surrendered to the pound.

 

[sbell111]

The guy got a dog. Big deal.

 

[daisyyy]

Seriously? Not your problem. I would be happy for the other kids, it's something that they can enjoy, if he's unemployed and doesn't have cash for big family vacations and such... no harm. I sense a bit of hostility towards the family. You asked... here's my opinion... It's none of your business !

 

[WillowPuff]

Thanks for all of the replies! I agree that it's none of my business, which is why I'm not going to say anything to them other than "Congrats on the new dog."

It is just maddening to watch though, which is why I need to vent somewhere before I go mad!

They did just take a 2 week vacation, on their way home they crashed at our place for 3 days. They wanted to attend the local fair but didn't want to pay admission. We paid admission for them ($10 per person). Rather than Thanking us for the treat, FIL said "hey, I just saved $40!" And proceeded to buy $40 worth of car wax and eye glass cleaner from the vendor stands. That rubbed me the wrong way.

They adopted a cat 3 years ago. Two months into owning it, the cat swallowed a 24 inch ribbon. It cost $3000 to remove it. Wiped out their savings. 6 months after that, the cat did it again... they had the cat euthanized. I wish their dog better luck... but if it does indeed require medical assistance - I can see them surrendering the dog to a shelter or having it put down because they won't have the finances to properly care for it.

 

[okeydokey]

Another way to look at it. If he is currently unemployed, he will have plenty of time to spend with the new dog and get him/her settled in. Is it a puppy? They do needs lots of attention.

 

[minkydog]

While *I* would not buy a pet if I were unemployed I guess people have the right to do that. And after all, your FIL isn't completely destitute(yet). He'll have some unemployment coming in for a while. Good luck finding a job that allows him to come & go and do as he pleases.

My mother is the perfect example of someone who didn't think things through. My 74yo mother acquired a puppy 2 years ago and we're still shaking our heads. She picked up a little Border Collie mix at a campground with the intention of finding it a home. She named it and that was the end of that. Mother is living on a fixed income; she has severe arthritis and cannot walk this dog. She can't afford to pay anyone else to walk the dog. About a year ago the dog was crying in pain, mother took the dog to the vet and she found out that both back legs have subluxated patellas(kneecaps slip to the side causing great pain.) The cost to fix both of them was quoted at around $5000. Of course, she can't afford that so the dog regularly slips a patella and has to go to the vet about every 2 months. she gets upset when she considers relinquishing the dog even to one of her children.

So what did she do? she acquired a kitten. and did I mention mother is talking about selling her house and moving into a senior apartment within the next 2 years. The dog is about 60-lbs. I wish her luck finding place that will take the dog. And I don't know what she'll do about excersizing the dog. Every piece of furniture and carpeting is covered with cat & dog hair because she doesn't brush either one of them. To her credit, she does clean up after them. Still, her house smells like a pet store. But I don't say anything; when I'm there(she lives 400miles away) I do my best to clean up thoroughly.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are doing well, but still don't feel that we have the money to have a pet. We had a cat; she was expensive! Constant litter, figuring out what food wouldn't make her allergic, she had some "tics" that involved licking her leg into a horrible sore that took well over a year to finally clear up and that was $$$.

I had a boyfriend while we were in grad school who worked just as much as I did, but decided to go on food stamps. I guess I would have qualified too, but it never occured to me to apply; neither of us was destitute. But he had two big labradors, and he fed them people food. I see nothing wrong with that in theory, if you can afford it, but he was using the food stamps to buy THEM lamb and rice, etc, so they wouldn't have to eat "dog food" (which of course isn't covered in food stamps), and that just bugged me. We broke up over many reasons, and that was one of them. Just didn't seem right to me.

Pets involve a constant outlay of money, and that's when they are healthy. I would have a problem if a relative of mine got a pet while about to be on unemployment, when they can't even afford to get into a festival without asking their adult child for help.

 

[RitaE]

My opinion is............


you don't like your in-laws much.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

They adopted a cat 3 years ago. Two months into owning it, the cat swallowed a 24 inch ribbon. It cost $3000 to remove it. Wiped out their savings. 6 months after that, the cat did it again... they had the cat euthanized. I wish their dog better luck... but if it does indeed require medical assistance - I can see them surrendering the dog to a shelter or having it put down because they won't have the finances to properly care for it.

This part bothers me, they just don't sound like responsible pet owners.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I have a problem with this. If something were to happen to this dog, would they be able to pay for its medical expenses? Sure, people think they can handle food, toys, etc but things can happen. My dog broke her leg when she about a year old, and I was shocked when they asked us if we were willing to pay for the treatment because the thought never crossed my mind. The vet said that some people will put the animal to sleep if they couldn't afford it, which breaks my heart. And you mentioned that's what happened with their cat. Selfish, especially since they know unexpected pet expenses can come up. I'd maybe give them a break if this was their first pet, but they've been through it all already.

 

[WillowPuff]

I just received an email from the in-laws.... they are going to return the dog back to the shelter tomorrow and ask for a refund (the nerve! I thought an "adoption fee" is more or less considered a donation to the shelter). They are claiming the dog is too hyper for any of them to handle - jumping on the couch, chewing blankets... (it just needs training!) It's a 2 year old Beagle-mix. They were warned by the shelter that she would be high-maintenance, but adopted her anyway because "she is cute!"

The poor dog... although I guess it's better to return her now, than to return her later on in life when she's become attached to them. Personally, I believe that when you adopt a pet, it's your pet for life! Animal shelters shouldn't be treated like a Walmart!

 

[Stacerita]

That poor dog. One of our pups that we rescued turned out to be hyper and quite a handful. It never once crossed our minds to return her. Hopefully that dog will get adopted by a loving family willing to take the time and energy to care for it.